I'm very sorry for the late update guys. I was going to update in December 2015, but my desktop computer went bad on me, so I had no computer for a whole month. I did get a new laptop for Xmas, so I can get my work done. Luckily for you guys, I saved this story on my thumb drive, which is why I was able to continue it as I already had half this chapter typed out before my computer went bad, otherwise this story would have probably been discontinued or it would take forever before I got motivated to try to retype the chapter in order to continue the story.
Anyway, that didn't happen, so I am able to continue the story. Also, I may have been distracted playing Undertale.
On that note, enjoy. More notes at the end of the chapter.
Chapter 6
Po was breathing heavily, having defeated all of Temutai's warriors. He turned to the huge water buffalo with a glare and gave out the most menacing growl ever done or heard from the panda.
"Whoa." Temutai stood in shock as he stared at the giant panda. He had never seen the warrior so… vicious. Or quiet during a fight. He began to slowly back away with his hooves up as the panda began to slowly, yet angrily, approach him.
"What's gotten into you Dragon Warrior? I've never seen you like this." Temutai told the fuming panda.
"I told you I wasn't in the mood to deal with you today, didn't I?" Po replied through clenched teeth as he continued to advance toward the giant water buffalo.
Temutai gave a nervous laugh, wordlessly stating that the panda did indeed warn him. But he didn't think the panda would react the way he did. The Dragon Warrior had single-handedly defeated his army, and he didn't even seem tired.
"What has gotten into him?" Temutai thought.
"Dragon Warrior?" one of Temutai's nearby defeated warriors, who had recovered, spoke up to the panda. The panda ignored him. "Does this have anything to do with the Match Making Ceremony for Master Tigress?" he asked.
This caught the panda's attention, causing him to stop in his tracks. He eyes widen in shock for a moment, before they became serious again. He turned to the water buffalo warrior.
"How do you know about that?" Po asked, with a slight growl.
"So that's what's wrong with him." Temutai thought.
"The matchmakers don't waste time you know." The warrior replied. "I'm surprised you didn't stop it right away."
Po gave the warrior a confused look, as did Temutai.
"Don't give me that look, Dragon Warrior. Aren't you in love with her?" the warrior stated.
Po and Temutai gasped in surprise.
"H-how do you know that?" Po asked.
"I've seen the way you look at her, Dragon Warrior. It's the same look in every male's eyes, when he looks at the female he cares for very deeply." The water buffalo warrior stated. By now, all the other warriors had recovered, but made no advances toward the panda.
"Dragon Warrior," Po looked up at the Quidan Warrior King. "Is this true?" he asked.
Po frowned and looked to the ground with a heavy sigh. He said nothing, causing silence to fall among them. The warriors looked to him sadly.
"Go."
"What?" Po looked up at the water buffalo in surprise and confusion.
"I have two sons of my own, Dragon Warrior. I know the feeling you are having right now. There will be other days for us to fight, Dragon Warrior. But there will not be other days for you to proclaim your love to your chosen female. Go, before it is too late." Temutai told him.
Po gave the giant water buffalo a nod and a smile of gratitude.
"You two." Temutai pointed to two of his warriors. "Go with the Dragon Warrior. Make sure none of our brethren in villainy delay him further."
The warriors nodded and took off together with the panda.
"Alright gentlemen. Please step forward and introduce yourself to Master Tigress." Mrs. Zing informed.
"Please, only state your name for the moment." Tigress told them, doing her best to hold her composure.
The two felines stepped forward and bowed as they stood a few feet away from the striped feline.
"I am, Rong." The leopard stated, standing tall and showing his muscles.
"Renshu, at your service, Master Tigress." The lynx stated with a respectful bow.
"Rong and Renshu. Pleasure to meet you both. As you already know, I am Master Tigress, Leader of the Furious Five and daughter of the Great Master Shifu. You know why you are here, so I don't think I need to explain that part. In order to make my decision, I will be testing you both with the assistance of Master Viper." Viper bowed towards them. "I will make my decision after that. But I warn you, I don't get impressed easily. Is that understood." Tigress firmly stated.
The two candidates nodded in understanding.
"Hmm, a strong and firm woman who knows what she wants. She's perfect. If I play my cards right, she'll definitely choose me. I'll just need to tone her down a bit. I can't have a female think she can be superior over me." Rong thought, grinning internally.
"Master Tigress is a strong independent woman. Why is she even looking for a mate? Hmm, I guess she's looking for a companion so she won't be alone when Master Shifu passes." Renshu sadly thought, not worried of whether he gets chosen or not.
"Very well. We'll start off with Rong." Tigress stated. Rong stepped forward and bowed.
"Renshu, can you please step outside for the moment? The other masters should be out there. They'll keep you company." Tigress informed the lynx.
"Of course, Master Tigress." Renshu bowed and made his way out of the great hall.
"Ok, first I'm going to ask you a few questions." Tigress stated. Rong nodded.
Tigress began to ask him different questions. Where he was from, what's his favourite food, favourite hobby, and other things she might be interested in knowing. She got fairly reasonable answers, but she didn't quite believe most of them.
"Thank you for your co-operation. Your next test is a battle. You are to spar with Master Viper. I want to see your fighting skills."
"Very well." Rong replied. He went and stood in the middle of the hall, his back facing the door. Viper stood at the bottom of the small flight of steps which led to the Sacred Moon pool, upon which Tigress, Shifu and Mrs Zing stood.
"Hey Renshu. What are you doing out here? Did Tigress make her decision already?" Monkey asked the lynx, before glancing to the other masters in confusion, since they all knew how the Tiger Master hated leopards.
"Greetings again, Masters." Renshu replied with a bow. "No she hasn't. She's testing us, so she asked me step outside since she chose Rong to test first." He explained.
"Ah." Monkey snickered.
"She's testing the one she's gonna put down, first." Crane stated.
"Heh. Yea, that's Tigress." Mantis added with a snicker as well.
Renshu blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?" he asked the Masters.
"Tigress… hates leopards. Like, really hates them. Right now, she's using all her willpower not to slaughter him." Monkey explained.
"In fact, the short time we spent with you two, you have a better chance at getting her attention." Crane stated.
Renshu gave an exasperated sigh. "I'm not even sure I want to have a chance with her." He told the masters, who were taken aback by this. "I mean, don't get me wrong. Master Tigress is a great warrior and, from what I've seen, a strong independent female. I don't see why she'd be looking for a mate. And even if she is, she'd probably want someone who's more on her level. I just… I feel like the point of this matchmaking ceremony, is more for her to find company she can probably tolerate, than a lifelong companion."
The Masters frowned toward the lynx at what he had said, knowing that that was the reason for the ceremony. They knew that Tigress would never choose someone she hardly knew to be her lifelong mate. They wanted to tell him, but it was not their place to say.
"That's enough." Tigress called out, signaling for Viper and Rong to stop their sparing. "I've seen enough." She stated. Viper and Rong bowed toward each other then made their way towards Tigress. Viper stood next to the feline, while Rong stopped and stood at the bottom of the short flight of stairs.
"You did very well. It's not easy keeping up with Viper's speed and flexibility." Tigress told the leopard. He bowed and thanked the Tiger master. Tigress nodded.
"That was your last test. Can you please step outside and please inform Renshu that he can come in now." Tigress told him.
Rong nodded and turned to exit the hall. Shortly after, Renshu entered and approach her. He bowed towards her, before standing upright and awaiting her next move. Like Rong, Tigress asked him a few questions. Once she was satisfied with his answered, she informed him of his final test.
Renshu observed the serpent. She looked ready to fight, but seemed a bit injured from her 'spar' with Rong.
"With all due respect Master Tigress… and Master Viper. I don't think it would be fair for me to fight an injured opponent." Renshu stated. This confused Tigress and Master Shifu, who looked to the serpent for confirmation.
"I-it's just a scratch. I'll manage." Viper nervously replied. Of course the Masters knew this was nothing that Viper couldn't handle, but the scratch seemed to be a little bit more than just a scratch. And they did recall Rong biting her at some point during the spar.
"And if it's ok with you Master Tigress, I would rather not fight a woman. Again, no disrespect, because I know you two are very capable. I just… don't like the idea of hitting a woman. Kung Fu Master or not, it just doesn't sit right with me." Renshu explained.
"Very well then." Tigress nodded in acknowledgment. "Zeng, please get Master Monkey for me." She called to the goose, who was on standby in case he was needed.
"Yes, Master Tigress." Zeng replied, before fetching the simian.
"So, Rong. How'd it go?" Monkey uneasily asked the leopard.
Rong scuffed and folded his arm, flashing a confident grin towards the Masters.
"She was impressed. I know she'll pick me over that wimp lynx. Someone as strong as Master Tigress needs a strong and confident mate. And that… would be me." Rong replied with cocky confidence.
"U-uh huh." The Masters gave an uneasy nod and knowingly glanced at each other. The doors opened behind the group, catching their attention.
"Well that was quick." Rong stated, thinking he was being called back in already. They turned to see Zeng step out the door.
"I'm sorry, but Master Tigress is not done yet." He told them. "Master Monkey, Master Tigress would like to see you."
The others where confused by this. Monkey nodded, entering the hall, with Zeng following and closing the door behind them. They approached the group near the Moon Pool.
"I really shouldn't be here, Tigress." Monkey stated.
"I know, Monkey. But I am in need of your assistance." Tigress told him.
"O…k… What is it?" he asked.
"Renshu has one more test to take. He was suppose to spar with me, but refuses. So we need you to spar with him." Viper explained.
"Oh! That's all? He he. No problem then." Monkey replied. The two took their positions and waited for the signal to start.
"Seriously?" Bian Zao deadpanned.
"You mean you haven't told her yet." Taotie asked with a surprised voice. The two sat in one of Taotie latest creations to destroy the warriors.
"You guys know too!" Po exclaimed in disbelief.
"Well, yes! Of course we do." Taotie replied.
"It's kind of obvious… and lame." Bian Zao lazily stated.
"Go, Dragon Warrior. We shall do battle another day!" Taotie told the panda warrior. Po thanked him before he and the Qidan warriors continued their way to the valley.
Just before the Valley entrance, they were stopped by the Croc Bandits. Of course, Po was not in the mood to deal with them. They tried to pick a fight with him, even knowing full well that they would lose, they still tried, but stopped when the saw the two Qidan warriors with him. The two warriors quickly explained the situation to the crocs, before they asked any questions.
"Wait… you mean haven't told her yet, guy. Like, what are you waiting for?" Fung stated.
"We really thought you would have stopped the ceremony from happening." Gah-ri stated.
"Oh come on! Are you kidding me! Does EVERY villain know I like her!" Po exclaimed, a bit annoyed.
"It's not really hard to miss." Gah-ri told him.
"Yea, guy. Like, you two are always patrolling or going on missions together and stuff. And you keep giving her these weird looks." Fung added.
Po's face turned red. From anger or embarrassment, he was not sure. Maybe both. The crocs too, allowed him to pass, stating they would fight another day. Po and the Qidan warriors stopped when they got to the Village gateway.
Po turned to the warriors. "Thanks for the escort, guys." He thanked them.
They nodded. "Good Luck, Dragon Warrior." One of them stated before heading back into the forest.
Po turned back to face the village and looked up to the Jade Palace. Taking a deep breath, he clenched his fist, before exhaling then making a mad dash towards the flight of stairs and the palace.
"I hope I'm not too late." He painfully thought. "Please Tigress. I know you. You hate making mistakes. Don't make this matchmaking thing be the biggest mistake of your life." As he continued to make his way to the palace.
"That's enough." Tigress called out, signalling for Monkey and Renshu to stop sparing. They bowed toward each other and approached the group once again. They stood at the bottom of the Moon Pool stairs. "Well done, keeping up with Master Monkey, Renshu." She told him, earning her a bow of thanks.
"Master Monkey, thank you, for your assistance." Monkey simply nodded towards her. "You may go. And please inform Rong, that he may re-enter the Hall."
Again, Monkey nodded before exiting the hall. Rong entered seconds after, made his way to the group and stood next to Renshu. Tigress addressed them on their performance.
"Please excuse me for a few minutes, while I contemplate on my decision." She told them, and made a motion to Viper to accompany her. After about five minutes, Tigress and Viper returned.
Po arrived at the top of the palace stairs, breathing heavily. The others noticed him and approached him.
"Po!" Monkey exclaimed. "Where have you been?!"
"You missed the whole ceremony!" Mantis told him.
Po immediately recovered upon hearing that.
"You mean she already chose someone?!" Po asked in disbelief.
"Not yet, but-" Po ran passed them, cutting Monkey off. "Wait! You can't go in there!" he told the panda, but not really trying to stop him.
"I have to stop this!" Po told them, before pushing the palace doors open. Once he did, what he heard made him stop in his tracks and his heart stop.
"I have made my decision."
Update: 02.02.2016
Sorry for the cliffy, but how else am I supposed to have you guys at the edge of your seats begging for more. Muahahahah. Sorry guys, couldn't help myself. But yea.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I will try my best to update quicker. Plz point out any major errors so I can fix them.
Also I have NOT seen KFP3 yet. I will be seeing it at the end of the week since that's when the cinema where I am is getting it. (So plz, NO SPOILERS)
Anywho, please review guys. It's what pushes me to try to update quicker.
~Zea